September 12, 2008, La Malbaie, Qué. — Martin Desrochers, of Hydroserre Mirabel, was recently honoured with the 2008 Pillar of the Industry award by the Québec Produce Marketing Association. The award recognizes his involvement not only in the QPMA, but also in the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC).
The award was presented during the 61st annual convention of the Québec Produce Marketing Association.
 Christian Chouinard (Provigo Inc.) accepted the QPMA presidency for 2008-2009. At the QPMA annual general meeting, the board of directors welcomed Michel Galli (Courchesne Larose Ltée), Bernard Côté (J.B. Laverdure Inc.), Dino Farrese (Bellemont Powell Ltée), Francis Bérubé (Sobeys Inc.) and Robert Beauregard (Metro Richelieu Inc.), all named as directors.
PHOTO: Martin Desrochers receives the
Pillar of the Industry award from outgoing QPMA president Bernadette
Hamel, senior director of the Québec fruit and vegetable division for
Montreal-based Metro Richelieu Inc.
Congratulations were also in order for Bernadette Hamel (Metro Richelieu Inc.), the first woman to have served as QPMA president, who will now serve on the executive committee as past president. Hamel, her husband Jean-Claude Thauvette, convention chair Marie Gosselin (Savoura) and her husband Marc Boutet welcomed the delegates to a busy and exciting weekend. The convention was rounded out with three days of activities, theme nights and intense networking. Two guest speakers were also on hand: Lise Cardinal, who spoke to the delegates about building a responsible and lasting network, and Stéphanie Beaudoin, of La Face Cachée de la Pomme, who spoke about the brand image of Québec ice ciders.
TVA evening news anchor Sophie Thibault captivated the audience with the story of her personal and professional journey, which led her to become the first woman in North America to anchor a major late-night news broadcast alone. The delegates also attended a presentation by Beth Patillo, president of the CPMA.
Founded in 1947, the QPMA represents some 500 businesses from virtually all levels of the food distribution chain. Its mission is to create a favourable environment for the marketing of fresh produce in the province.
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